Palestinian protester shot dead during demonstration near Israeli settlement

The Israeli military said it had responded to the protest with 'riot dispursal means' which can include live fire

Palestinian protesters seek cover during confrontations with Israeli troops near Beita on the West Bank. EPA

A Palestinian man was shot and killed by Israeli troops on Friday, during a protest against settlement expansion in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, health officials said.

The protest erupted over a settlement outpost near the town of Beita – one of dozens dotting hilltops in the West Bank in what Palestinians see as an ongoing Israeli land grab.

Several hundred Palestinians gathered on the hilltop. Dozens burned tyres and threw stones at soldiers who fired live rounds, rubber bullets and tear gas.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said a 26-year-old Palestinian man was killed by army fire and that five protesters were injured, including two by live rounds.

The Israeli army said it was investigating the incident.

"We are aware of reports regarding a killed Palestinian. The cause of the injury is still unknown," it said.

According to the Israeli military, a "violent riot" took place near the "Givat Eviatar outpost" and that "troops responded with riot dispersal means".

On Tuesday, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian man during a raid in the Al Amari refugee camp near Ramallah.

These incidents come at a time of heightened tensions following an 11-day conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.

More than 250 people – the vast majority of whom were Palestinians – were killed in the conflict. A ceasefire was agreed on May 21.

During the fighting, Israel bombed hundreds of targets in Gaza, while militants in the Gaza Strip fired more than 4,000 rockets at Israel.